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Aggrey Sam: Don’t Underestimate The Value Of Hamilton

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 20: Richard Hamilton #32 of the Chicago Bulls participates in warm-ups before a preseason game against the Indiana Pacers at the United Center on December 20, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Pacers 93-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Richard Hamilton participates in warm-ups before a preseason game against the Indiana Pacers. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

(WSCR) The Bulls may be off to an NBA-best 16-3 start, but do they have what it takes to compete with the elite teams in the Eastern Conference deep in the playoffs?

One Bulls insider thinks the addition of Richard Hamilton this past offseason could be the difference if the Bulls and Heat rematch in the Eastern Conference Finals.

“I wouldn’t discount the addition of Rip Hamilton,” Aggrey Sam of Comcast Sportsnet told The Mully and Hanley Show. “Rip, as we’ve seen, has really opened up the court for a lot of these guys, especially for Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer. The scouting report on him: 13-year veteran, automatic mid-range jump shooter. You gotta double him off those screens or he’s going to knock down shots. When that happens, he’s getting those guys easy opportunities, which they did not get against Miami (last season).”

Sam said even having just one year of experience deep in the playoffs can pay big dividens for the Bulls.

“Last year was the first year that team was really together, making a playoff run,” Sam said. “The experience factor, Derrick Rose is who I’m looking at in particular, I think will really pay off for them this coming spring.